# Further Maths - Bin-packing

> Source: https://ollybritton.com/notes/a-level/further-maths/topics/bin-packing/ · Updated: 2021-10-12 · Tags: school, further-maths, decision

## Flashcards
##### What is the bin-packing problem??
Minimising the amount of bins used to store things of a fixed sizes.

##### What is the full-bin combinations algorithm for bin-packing??
Fill as many bins as possible using full-bin combinations and then pack the remaining items into the first available bin.

##### What is it called when you solve a problem by listing all possibilities??
Complete enumeration.

##### What is the first-fit algorithm for bin-packing??
Work through the list of items and place each item in the first bin with sufficient space.

##### What modification to the first-fit algorithm could you make to allow it to create better solutions??
Sort the items in descending order first.

##### What is the first-fit decreasing algorithm??
Rearrange the items to decreasing order and then use the first-fit algorithm.

##### Why is the full-bin combinations algorithm not very good??
It doesn't scale up well and basically reduces to inspection.

##### Are first-fit and first-fit decreasing optimal or heuristics??
Heuristics.

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